The Works of Lucian of Samosata: Complete with Exceptions Specified in the Preface - Vol. 1

Diog. Pollux, I have a commission for you; next time you
go up--and I think it is your turn for earth to-morrow--if you
come across Menippus the Cynic--you will find him about the
Craneum at Corinth, or in the Lyceum, laughing at the philosophers' disputes--well, give him this message:--Menippus, Diogenes advises you, if mortal subjects for laughter begin to
pall, to come down below, and find much richer material;
where you are now, there is always a dash of uncertainty in it;
the question will always intrude--who can be quite sure about
the hereafter? Here, you can have your laugh out in security,
like me; it is the best of sport to see millionaires, governors,
despots, now mean and insignificant; you can only tell them
by their lamentations, and the spiritless despondency which is
the legacy of better days. Tell him this, and mention that he
had better stuff his wallet with plenty of lupines, and any unconsidered trifles he can snap up in the way of pauper doles1
or lustral eggs2.

Pol. I will tell him, Diogenes. But give me some idea of his
appearance.

In the Greek, 'a Hecate's repast lying at a street corner.' 'Rich men
used to make offerings to Hecate on the 30th of every month as Goddess of
roads at street corners; and these offerings were at once pounced upon by the
poor, or, as here, the Cynics.' Jacobitz.

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